What causes testicular cancer?

The exact causes are unknown, but there are a number of things that can increase your risk factor...

Undescended testicles: When a baby boy is born with his balls inside his testicles - and they don't descend by the time they turn one - this person is three times more likely to develop testicular cancer.

Family history: If your dad had testicular cancer, you're four times more likely to develop it, while you're eight times more likely to develop testicular cancer if your brother had it.

Previous testicular cancer: Men who have already survived testicular cancer and four to 12 times more likely to get it in the other testicle.

Ethnicity: White men have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer than other ethnic groups.

How is testicular cancer treated?

If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with testicular cancer - you will be pleased to know it's one of the most treatable types of cancer in the UK.

In the UK, 99 per cent of men survive for a year or more after being diagnosed, while 98 per cent survive for five or more years.

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The testicles and scrotum explained

Almost all men treated for the most common form, germ cell cancer, survive.

Treatment tends to involve the surgical removal of the affected testicle, but this can be replaced with a prosthetic one.

If both testicles are removed, you will be left infertile - but some men can bank their sperm before this happens.

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is sometimes used to treat testicular cancer.

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